APS5, APS6 Lawyers and EL1 Senior Lawyers

Job Description

Are you a highly motivated Lawyer looking for your next career move?

Type of vacancy: Ongoing and Non-ongoing, Full-time

Job Title: APS5, APS6 Lawyers and EL1 Senior Lawyers

Classification: APS 5 / APS 6 / EL 1

Location: The OAIC operates a hybrid work model with a combination of remote working and office attendance. Whilst the OAIC office is located in the Sydney CBD, we will consider candidate applications from all other locations within Australia.

About the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner

Working with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) will put you at the forefront of data protection and access to information regulation. As an independent statutory agency, the OAIC’s work is of national significance and plays an important role in shaping Australia’s information handling landscape across the economy – from government, digital platforms and the online environment, to health, finance and telecommunications. We are an agency within the Attorney-General Department’s portfolio with responsibility for:

• privacy functions under the Privacy Act 1988 and other legislation
• freedom of information, in particular review of decisions made by agencies and ministers under the Freedom of Information Act 1982.

Why work with us

The OAIC is a place where smart and dedicated people from all walks of life collaborate to work on meaningful matters, challenge themselves and make a significant and lasting impact for all of Australia.

We’re a collaborative team that looks out for each other, takes considered risks and seeks out new perspectives. We understand that meaningful change and the best solutions often sit outside ‘the way things have always been.’

With us, what you get out is what you put in. With challenging work and opportunities to pursue new and exciting pathways around every corner, you can develop the career and capabilities you want to help unlock your full potential.

At the OAIC, we’re proud of the impact we can make together. We understand the responsibilities and challenges that come with such a fast moving and ever-changing line of work. Together, we’re excited to take on whatever comes our way with a can-do approach.

Our high performing culture is built on a foundation of care, support and inclusion – to get the best from us requires an environment where everyone can thrive. It’s why we’re driven by connection and collaboration, sharing our skills, knowledge and support with each other freely and frequently. It’s why we prioritise the wellbeing of our people and empower them to work autonomously, flexibly and courageously.

You can find out more on internet site.

About the Legal Services Team

The Legal Services Team is a high performing team. We are proud of our inclusive, supportive and collaborative culture. Our work is fast-paced and always diverse and interesting. We are seeking someone who is highly motivated, enthusiastic and willing to pitch in to support your managers and team.

If you join our team, you will have the opportunity to provide legal advice:

• on a variety of cutting-edge issues on the major investigations into various high-profile data breaches
• to business areas of the OAIC in relation to the performance of its privacy and government information policy functions
• on litigation work including merits review in the AAT and judicial review in the Federal Court
• on Freedom of Information requests made to the OAIC – including second counselling decisions or undertaking internal review
• on any other work required to support the Director – Legal Services Team.

You will have the opportunity to work closely with the General Counsel and with the OAIC’s Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners.

The OAIC is committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage and welcome applications from people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and mature age people.

About The Roles

Working closely with the Director of Legal, General Counsel and Principal Lawyers, the role of APS5 Lawyers, APS 6 Lawyers and EL 1 Senior Lawyers within the Legal Services team work on a variety of matters such as:

• conducting legal research and preparing legal advice (oral and written) to the Executive on administrative law and statutory interpretation, with a focus on FOI and privacy law
• providing legal advice to current business areas of the OAIC to assist those areas with the:
• investigation into the major data breaches
• development of policy, guidelines and procedures in privacy and FOI
• planning, management and investigation of privacy and FOI complaints
• conduct of Information Commissioner reviews and privacy determinations
• drafting of privacy determinations.
• managing complex litigation
• providing legal input into briefs and submissions on law reform proposals relevant to FOI and privacy law
• processing FOI requests received by the OAIC
• providing corporate legal services to the OAIC in a broad range of areas relevant to public administration including advising on contracts, employment law and Memorandum of understanding
• liaising effectively with both internal stakeholders including the business areas, and with external stakeholders, including external legal service providers, Counsel and other government agencies
• representing the Legal Services Team and the OAIC in internal and external forums
• contributing to knowledge sharing within the team, training of staff and the development of guidance material
• performing other tasks as directed.

EL1 Senior Lawyers will also be responsible for mentoring and developing junior staff within the Legal Services Team and supervising both legal and paralegal staff.

Job Specific Capabilities, Skills & Experience 

We are seeking applications from candidates with the following:

• experience in delivering legal advice and/or litigation experience
• experience and/or interest in privacy and/or freedom of information law
• excellent communication skills both verbal and written
• legal research and analysis skills
• ability to apply complex legislation and policy frameworks.

Mandatory:

• qualifications in law
• current Practising Certificate

Desirable:

To assist you with determining which level you would be most suitable for, the Panel would consider the following experience highly desirable:

• APS 5 Lawyer – at least 1 year post-qualification legal experience
• APS 6 Lawyer – at least 2 years post-qualification legal experience whether gained in government, in-house or in a law firm
• EL 1 Lawyer – at least 5 years post-qualification legal experience whether gained in government, in-house or in a law firm.

While not essential, demonstrated experience in some of the following areas of law will be looked on favourably: statutory interpretation, litigation, evidence and investigations, regulatory law, privacy law, administrative law, freedom of information, government contracting, employment law or other relevant areas of legal practice.

Detailed Vacancy Information 

• For detailed information about these roles please refer to the downloadable job pack, available on the OAIC website, which can be accessed by clicking the apply button.
• The OAIC is committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage and welcome applications from people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and mature age people.
• Selections for vacancies at the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner are based on merit.

How to Apply

• Visit the OAIC website by clicking here to review the download the candidate information pack.
• Please complete the application sheet (located within the candidate information pack) as part of your application.

Closing Date

Wednesday, 25 October 2023 at 11:59 PM AEDT.